My favourite word - "Lense" and possibly other typos

timb64 · 07-13-2020, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by rod_grant

How about the use of the plural word “they”, when he or she would be appropriate?
As in, “The driver was tested for drugs, and they were found to be ...”. I mean, how many drivers were there?

In these "gender sensitive" times I think you may have to get used to it,Rod.

"They is the third-person plural personal pronoun (subjective case) in Modern English. It is also used with singular meaning, sometimes to avoid specifying the gender of the person referred to."

bertwert · 07-13-2020, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by rod_grant

How about the use of the plural word “they”, when he or she would be appropriate?
As in, “The driver was tested for drugs, and they were found to be ...”. I mean, how many drivers were there?

The singular use of the word they is useful to help avoid identifying a person, such as in a police or news report. It is also helpful if one does not know if the person that they are referring to is a man or woman - for example, how I used it right there, a general person.

**arnold** · 07-13-2020, 04:34 PM

At this point in time.
Superfluous words. Say either "at this point" or "at this time."

stevebrot · 07-13-2020, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by rod_grant

How about the use of the plural word “they”, when he or she would be appropriate?

Only a problem when it is a problem. To be honest, "they" as a personal pronoun singular is common usage in many cases even when not attempting to be gender-neutral. That said, I am sympathetic to your objection, but I live is a part of the world where there is heightened sensitivity and I am adjusting my style to assign gender unless needed for clarity.

Steve

stevebrot · 07-13-2020, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by arnold

Superfluous words. Say either "at this point" or "at this time."

"Now"?

Steve

robtcorl · 07-13-2020, 04:49 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by bertwert

if one does not know if the person that they are referring to is a man or woman

Especially if they are wearing a skirt, but have hairy legs.

stevebrot · 07-13-2020, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

The singular use of the word they is useful to help avoid identifying a person, such as in a police or news report. It is also helpful if one does not know if the person that they are referring to is a man or woman - for example, how I used it right there, a general person.

How about "they know who they are"? The meaning is ambiguous unless context provides clues.

Steve

bertwert · 07-13-2020, 04:54 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by robtcorl

Especially if they are wearing a skirt, but have hairy legs.

You wouldn't be talking about the the great strong, whisky sippin' heilan' men? The hard workin', hairy leggit Heilan men? Would you now?

Youtu.be

bertwert · 07-13-2020, 04:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

How about "they know who they are"? The meaning is ambiguous unless context provides clues.

Steve

It's obviously multiple people, if there was only one it would be "they know who they is"

MarkJerling · 07-13-2020, 04:59 PM - **1 Like**

As plurals seem to come into play, another pet hate of mine is the plural for "you" often being employed here, by some: "Yous".

bertwert · 07-13-2020, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MarkJerling

As plurals seem to come into play, another pet hate of mine is the plural for "you" often being employed here, by some: "Yous".

Y'all are weird there in New Zealand.

But seriously, who uses 'yous' (or y'all unironically for that matter...)?

stevebrot · 07-13-2020, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

It's obviously multiple people, if there was only one it would be "they know who they is"

Ha! Ha! The case if very tricky, but "are" is the appropriate usage even if the first "they" is singular. I can't give a technical answer, but Google is our friend.

Wikipedia provides answers and several examples with appropriate rules, but I am completely unfamiliar with the vocabulary, not being a linguist and all (e.g. anaphoric reference, deixis, and similar).

Steve

MarkJerling · 07-13-2020, 05:22 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by bertwert

Y'all are weird there in New Zealand.

But seriously, who uses 'yous' (or y'all unironically for that matter...)?

Especially amongst the younger crowd here. Heard recently at a local restaurant - Waitress comes up to table: "What can I get yous?"
The pain in my ears was somewhat dissipated due to the pain in my shin which was my wife kicking me under the table so as to ensure that I did not give the waitress a grammar lesson on the spot.

stevebrot · 07-13-2020, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

Y'all are weird there in New Zealand.

But seriously, who uses 'yous' (or y'all unironically for that matter...)?

"Yous" in New England (think Mafia movies) and "y'all" in the southern U.S. and places where Southerners have settled. Y'all is used by all classes in the South and is not a marker of education or socioeconomic strata.

Steve

Parallax · 07-13-2020, 05:53 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by bertwert

Y'all are weird there in New Zealand.

But seriously, who uses 'yous' ..?

Clearly, you've never been to New Jersey.

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07-13-2020, 04:08 PM	#286
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Originally posted by rod_grant How about the use of the plural word “they”, when he or she would be appropriate? As in, “The driver was tested for drugs, and they were found to be ...”. I mean, how many drivers were there? In these "gender sensitive" times I think you may have to get used to it,Rod. "They is the third-person plural personal pronoun (subjective case) in Modern English. It is also used with singular meaning, sometimes to avoid specifying the gender of the person referred to."

07-13-2020, 04:21 PM	#287
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by rod_grant How about the use of the plural word “they”, when he or she would be appropriate? As in, “The driver was tested for drugs, and they were found to be ...”. I mean, how many drivers were there? The singular use of the word they is useful to help avoid identifying a person, such as in a police or news report. It is also helpful if one does not know if the person that they are referring to is a man or woman - for example, how I used it right there, a general person.

07-13-2020, 04:34 PM	#288
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	At this point in time. Superfluous words. Say either "at this point" or "at this time."

07-13-2020, 04:47 PM	#289
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by rod_grant How about the use of the plural word “they”, when he or she would be appropriate? Only a problem when it is a problem. To be honest, "they" as a personal pronoun singular is common usage in many cases even when not attempting to be gender-neutral. That said, I am sympathetic to your objection, but I live is a part of the world where there is heightened sensitivity and I am adjusting my style to assign gender unless needed for clarity. Steve

07-13-2020, 04:48 PM	#290
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by arnold Superfluous words. Say either "at this point" or "at this time." "Now"? Steve

07-13-2020, 04:49 PM - 7 Likes	#291
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Originally posted by bertwert if one does not know if the person that they are referring to is a man or woman Especially if they are wearing a skirt, but have hairy legs.

07-13-2020, 04:50 PM	#292
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bertwert The singular use of the word they is useful to help avoid identifying a person, such as in a police or news report. It is also helpful if one does not know if the person that they are referring to is a man or woman - for example, how I used it right there, a general person. How about "they know who they are"? The meaning is ambiguous unless context provides clues. Steve

07-13-2020, 04:56 PM - 1 Like	#294
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by stevebrot How about "they know who they are"? The meaning is ambiguous unless context provides clues. Steve It's obviously multiple people, if there was only one it would be "they know who they is"

07-13-2020, 04:59 PM - 1 Like	#295
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422 Original Poster	As plurals seem to come into play, another pet hate of mine is the plural for "you" often being employed here, by some: "Yous".

07-13-2020, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#296
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by MarkJerling As plurals seem to come into play, another pet hate of mine is the plural for "you" often being employed here, by some: "Yous". Y'all are weird there in New Zealand. But seriously, who uses 'yous' (or y'all unironically for that matter...)?

07-13-2020, 05:16 PM	#297
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bertwert It's obviously multiple people, if there was only one it would be "they know who they is" Ha! Ha! The case if very tricky, but "are" is the appropriate usage even if the first "they" is singular. I can't give a technical answer, but Google is our friend. Wikipedia provides answers and several examples with appropriate rules, but I am completely unfamiliar with the vocabulary, not being a linguist and all (e.g. anaphoric reference, deixis, and similar). Steve

07-13-2020, 05:22 PM - 4 Likes	#298
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422 Original Poster	Originally posted by bertwert Y'all are weird there in New Zealand. But seriously, who uses 'yous' (or y'all unironically for that matter...)? Especially amongst the younger crowd here. Heard recently at a local restaurant - Waitress comes up to table: "What can I get yous?" The pain in my ears was somewhat dissipated due to the pain in my shin which was my wife kicking me under the table so as to ensure that I did not give the waitress a grammar lesson on the spot.

07-13-2020, 05:24 PM	#299
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bertwert Y'all are weird there in New Zealand. But seriously, who uses 'yous' (or y'all unironically for that matter...)? "Yous" in New England (think Mafia movies) and "y'all" in the southern U.S. and places where Southerners have settled. Y'all is used by all classes in the South and is not a marker of education or socioeconomic strata. Steve

07-13-2020, 05:53 PM - 2 Likes	#300
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	Originally posted by bertwert Y'all are weird there in New Zealand. But seriously, who uses 'yous' ..? Clearly, you've never been to New Jersey.